RUI: Testing Lorentz Symmetry

这个RUI提案要求继续支持一个关于可能违反洛伦兹对称（现代物理学的基本公理之一）和CPT定理的研究项目，CPT定理保证粒子和反粒子具有完全相同的质量和完全相反的电磁特性。目前还没有证据表明这两种对称性质被破坏，但弦理论表明，在与普朗克尺度相关的非常高的能量下，洛伦兹对称可能会自发地被破坏。本研究的目的是检验洛伦兹对称破坏（LSV）和可能破坏CPT （CPTV）的后果，并为它们开发实验测试。许多这些测试可以在低能量的原子和基本粒子系统中进行。PI与该领域的领军人物印第安纳大学的Alan Kostalecki教授建立了积极的合作关系。更广泛的影响包括科尔比学院的本科生参与研究，以及该机构的教学和研究的总体结合。这种类型的经验应该鼓励学生继续攻读科学研究生院。该研究的一般主题也具有普遍的吸引力，有关它的文章已经出现在大众媒体上。PI计划就这一领域向普通观众发表演讲。

This RUI proposal requests continuing support for a program of research on the possible violation of Lorentz symmetry, one of the basic axioms of modern physics, and of the CPT theorem, which guarantees that particles and anti-particles have precisely the same masses and exactly opposite electromagnetic properties. At present there is no evidence for the violation of these two symmetry properties, but string theory suggests that at the very high energy associated with the Planck scale, Lorentz symmetry may be spontaneously broken.The aim of the research is to examine the consequences of Lorentz Symmetry Violation (LSV) and the possible violation of CPT (CPTV) and develop experimental tests for them. Many of these tests can be performed at low energies in atomic and elementary particle systems. The PI has established an active collaboration with Prof. Alan Kostalecki, of Indiana University, a leader in this field. The broader impacts include the involvement of undergraduates at Colby College in the research and the general drawing together of teaching and research at the institution. This type of experience should encourage students to go on to graduate school in science. The general subject of the research also has popular appeal and articles about it have appeared in the popular press. The PI plans to give talks to general audiences about this field.